Kisii county issues show cause letters to striking doctors

Governor Simba Arati. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Kisii county government has issued show cause letters to striking doctors.

The letters dated April 30, 2024, were signed by the acting County Secretary and Head of Public Service, Robert Ombasa.

Governor Simba Arati's administration has accused the doctors of being absent from duty since March 15, 2024, despite the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kisumu declaring the strike illegal.

The doctors have been given 10 days to respond to the letters, failure to respond to which they may be dismissed for absence from duty without leave.

The letter also states that the doctors should provide lawful reasons why the intended action should not be taken against them.

However, Nyanza KMPDU Secretary General Aggrey Orwenyo raised concerns about the legality and procedural irregularities of the show-cause letters.

Dr Orwenyo claimed that the County Secretary violated the data privacy and confidentiality of KMPDU members by communicating with them through social media, which is not among the formal communication channels.

He said that the doctors were not accorded any chance to first respond on their whereabouts to their immediate supervisors.

Dr Orwenyo further claimed that the KMPDU members complied with the Kisumu Employment and Labour Relations Court.

"We demand that the show-cause letters be withdrawn due to their irregularity and lack of adherence to proper procedures and guidelines," he said.